The speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has emphasized how Waste Management can boost environmental sustainability, generate jobs, and propel Nigeria’s economy. Speaking during the launching and public presentation of a book titled “Recycling in Nigeria,” written by Terseer Ugbor, a member of the House of Representatives and the deputy chairman of the Committee on Environment, in Abuja, Abbas, encouraged businesspeople to investigate the business prospects in waste management. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, highlighted waste management as a promising yet underutilized sector, saying that the book gives unemployed youths new opportunities.
Sharon Ikeazor, the former Minister of State for Environment, recommended the book as a reference for the Recycling industry that supports government Sustainability initiatives. Terseer Ugbor, the author, emphasized the importance of educating young Nigerians about waste-to-wealth potential and promoting recycling of materials such as plastics, tires, and e-waste. He mentioned ongoing legislative initiatives, such as the planned Extended Producers’ Responsibility (EPR) Act, which would hold manufacturers responsible for their trash in order to increase employment possibilities and instill recycling in Nigerian culture.
High trash generation has prompted creative solutions.
As per reports, Nigeria’s waste management sector value is estimated at $250 billion. The country’s trash recycling sector, which is mainly unexplored, offers enormous potential for generating income and jobs. With a population of more than 200 million, the country produces over 32 million tons of Solid Waste yearly, posing both major potential and concerns. The high trash generation, inadequate disposal facilities, and inadequate recycling Infrastructure in many Nigerian cities, have prompted the development of creative solutions. Startups and private businesses are taking advantage of these difficulties by launching innovative garbage management services and solutions.
In 2022, Nigeria’s water supply, sewerage, trash management, and remediation sectors expanded by 23.73 percent in real terms compared to the same period the year before. Growing efforts to solve trash management problems have resulted in this rapid growth, propelled by a change in public perceptions of sustainability and a rise in funding from domestic and foreign partners. Recent developments in Nigeria’s waste management sector underscore the significance of digital and decentralized solutions with mobile applications and digital platforms becoming increasingly effective tools for overseeing trash collection and recycling initiatives.
Recycling has become a crucial aspect of management.
Companies such as Wecyclers and TrashUsers have created technologically advanced solutions that enable households to properly dispose of their trash and get compensated for their efforts. This trend is indicative of a larger movement in trash management toward the integration of technology, which facilitates the tracking, sorting, and methodical disposal of trash. With several recycling projects, technologies, and activities taking center stage, recycling in particular has become a crucial component of Nigeria’s waste management evolution. Recycling initiatives boost local economies and combat Poverty by generating jobs in the manufacturing, processing, and collection area.
Also, firms like RecyclePoints have created a system of rewards that encourages Nigerians to recycle by exchanging sorted waste for points that can be redeemed for household items. In addition to decreasing landfill garbage. With this initiative, RecyclePoints is helping to address the disparity between trash generation and economic Empowerment by generating jobs for nearby communities. Additionally, some Nigerian businesspeople are exploring the possibilities of reusing organic waste through composting and biogas production. This method would generate useful byproducts that can be utilized for energy production and Agriculture in addition to reducing the amount of trash that is dumped in landfills.
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This wave of Innovation and entrepreneur endeavors shows how trash management may significantly boost Nigeria’s economy. Nigeria could lessen its influence on the environment while also producing income and jobs by converting trash into resources through composting, recycling, and waste-to-energy programs. These entrepreneurs promote a circular Economy in which Nigerian resources are recycled, cutting imports, expenses, and sustaining more domestic economic activity. With sustained innovation and investment, waste management has the potential to become a key economic pillar in Nigeria, propelling resilience, sustainability, and growth in the coming years.